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Captain forced to resign, so looking for new yacht

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by MYCaptainChris, Nov 6, 2006.

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  1. MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    Location:
    Melbourne Beach FL
    Good afternoon all.
    As many of you know I am the captain of a gorgeous 111ft Codecasa yacht that is currently sitting here in Fort Lauderdale. I am here on my B1/B2 visa and have been for the unusually long period of 6 months. Within two weeks I must leave the U.S. and head back home to reset or renew the visa. Unfortunately the owner of the yacht will not accept this and insists I stay and complete the final part of the refit. This I cannot afford to do for obvious reasons, so with that in mind I am being forced to resign.
    If anybody knows of a yacht in the 100ft region who needs an experienced MCA qualified captain please do let me know. I wish I could stay on board the yacht I have been on for over 2 years, but I can't risk messing with U.S. immigration. I just hope my next boss listens and understands better.

    Many thanks

    Chris
  2. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    I the old days you could apply for an extension to a B1/B2 Visas. I don't know if this is still the case.

    You could stay in the US while the application was considered, sometimes people had to leave within 24 hrs of getting a decision.

    Can't you go over to Nassau for the day and come back?
  3. MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    hmm

    I've already had an extension from the usual 3 months to 6 months and at the time the immigration officer explained that I must return to my country of citizenship i.e. UK. When I asked for how long she replied, permanently, but 14 days is the unofficial time scale.

    They certainly seem to be catching on to us crew just flying out to renew our visa.
  4. Arniev

    Arniev Senior Member

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    Location:
    Monterey, CA, USA
    Capt. Chris,
    I'm sorry to hear about your predicament.
    U.S. Immig "might" extend your stay in the U.S., but it will most probably be for 1 to 2 months only, unless you can convince them why you have to stay longer.
    GOOD LUCK in your search for another yacht!
    God Bless,
    Arnie
    :)
  5. LukeB

    LukeB New Member

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    Location:
    Florida, Bahama's, Cuba, Carib and
    3 or 6 months??

    Hi MYCaptainChris..


    First of all, sorry to hear that you have found yourself in your positions, however, as you know (you gave me advice on one of my posts), I have recently just been granted a b1/2 visa in London and did a load of research before applying.

    The immigration officer that issued my visa said that you are allowed to stay upto 6mnths at a time. So you might still be able to get an extension on your six months..

    Hope things work out for..
  6. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    I should have added that it was never a good idea to apply for a 2nd Extension.

    In 1991 we had a Sth African chap who got one extension and then when it was running out applied for another one. He got the answer to the second one in about 10 days and 24 hrs to leave the country.


    I wish you luck in your search for another ride, from what I have read in your posts it reads like you are a pretty honest and steady person to be looking after an Owners investment.

    You will just have to think of it as the Owners loss. Is it a new Owner or the same one you have been with for a while?
  7. chrismlewis

    chrismlewis New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Ft lauderdale
    Extensions

    Sorry to hear about your dilemma. your boss will discover loyalty is a 2 way street....

    I filed an extension with the office in Texas by mail and with lots of documentation to show that the length of stay was unplanned and we were certainly going to leave (charters booked etc) it went through.

    Maybe worth a try or a chat to an immigration attorney. i think the one we used charged us $400 per person.

    Even if it comes back with a departure order what have you lost as long as you do not over stay?

    Good luck with the search. i am also looking if anyoine knows of Captain's position available. I have an unlimited ticket and lots of experience.....
  8. aeronautic1

    aeronautic1 Member

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    Messages:
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    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Extension

    Sorry to hear about your situation. However, if your vessel is a Red Flag (MCA)vessel, wouldn't your visa be as valid with relation to the cruising permit issued to that vessel?
  9. Garry Hartshorn

    Garry Hartshorn Senior Member

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    Chris it all depends on the immigration officer on the day, try taking a long weekend to Canada
  10. MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    hmm

    Last visit to canada was a trial, the guy had no clue what a B1/B2 was and only gave me 29 days. Not that big a deal as the yacht was leaving but I always try to use Ft Lauderdale or MIA immigration when I can.

    I called the owners bluff and said I'm going......... lets see what happens.

    It is still the origional owner, hes keeping the boat now. Tried to sell it but when his kids starting crying he got upset and couldn't part with it.
  11. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    You might be alright unless the Owner comes to this site and reads your last post about calling his bluff.
  12. MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    yes

    Good point.

    The thing is I want to stay on this yacht, I like it, I know it like the back of my hand and I do actually get on with the owner.

    I know I have to go, so if I resign or he fires me then I'll just have to find another yacht.

    I need the holiday anyway, it's been hard running the yacht with just 2 of us.
  13. Northern Lights

    Northern Lights New Member

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    Location:
    San Diego
    immigration

    What is amazing is that by doing what you have done legally and by the book is so complicated to extend. Rules are rules but exceptions need to be part of the rules. You have a better chance of being left alone by U.S Immigration had you crossed illegally from Mexico.
  14. MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    yes

    Crazy isn't it?

    I said to an immigration officer once (nice guy) about how much money we bring into Florida. My yacht has spent in excess of $3,000,000 in two years, thats just the yacht and doesn't include all the wages that the crew spend while they are here. In the next 6 months I expect to spend a further $500,000. This is all money the US should want, but they could soon be making things so difficult that we'll go elsewhere.
  15. reidsatsea

    reidsatsea New Member

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    The sad thing is.... you're looking to leave. So, the boat stays here, gets a new Captain and continues to spend big bucks..... and you're the only one who ain't smiling.

    That sucks! Hope you find something... or your current owner comes to the party soon. One would think for the sake of 2 weeks, he'd be prepared to make a plan.
  16. MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    sad

    It is unfortunate but I know there are plenty of jobs out there that probably pay better.

    I gave three months notice saying that I would need to leave on this date, if we were in the caribbean or at sea by then I was prepared to cancel, but being visa related I can't.
  17. Talon

    Talon Senior Member

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    Devon UK
    Chris,

    Any update for us all on what was happening on your Visa extension?
    Have you had to come back to the UK?

    Jay
  18. YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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    Jay,

    Off topic but... what is your avatar?
  19. KCook

    KCook Senior Member

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    An alpine doll with a bad hairdoo?
  20. MYCaptainChris

    MYCaptainChris Senior Member

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    well

    I did have to return to the UK, but I have come back to more BS than I think I am prepared to put up with.
    I'll give it two more weeks and see what is my best option.